Time Passes Right Along

My mother used to bellow "Time waits for no one!" whenever I was running late or when she thought I was wasting time. Now that I'm older and it seems that time does in fact fly - whether I'm having fun or not - her words are more meaningful.

I think the flying of time becomes more relevant when I am procrastinating. An hour can seem like a long time to get somewhere on time but it's not when you aren't fully dressed and still need to make a 30 minute trek. Like money, one has to budget time, less it runs out because you think you have more of it than you actually do. Maybe that's why I don't like being tied to clocks and schedules...too much like a commitment. Actually time is a commitment, as are budgets. Hmmm...maybe that's why people who are good with time are also good with money...or so it seems.

There's that ugly word - commitment. I never really like to commit to something, especially if it's something I don't feel compelled to do or there's a possibility of something else coming up that I find more interesting. Selfish? Probably. I look at it this way, there's only a certain amount of time one has available. Rarely is time your own...as in, you have absolute possession or control. And in life, you have to commit time in order to make a living, have even the basic living conditions and to relate to others. After all, there are deadlines that must be met, bills that must be paid, schedules that must be honored, promises that are to be honored, which depends on time. Sure, you can resist deadlines, schedules and promises at your own peril. Try eating something after its expiration date...if the worst consequence from that action is that it tastes yucky, you're lucky. LOL

Therefore, we must commit to some things in life...which means the sacrifice of time, money, or something else of value. After all, life is about sacrifices.

Now that I am older and I see how fast time goes by, it's worthwhile to use it wisely and judiciously. I read somewhere that the former president of Morehouse College said that getting somewhere or doing something before the deadline is doing it on time; getting somewhere or doing something at the appointed time is not on time. Budgeting time by finishing or getting somewhere before the appointed time allows for the opportunity of doing something else that can be meaningful in the meantime. That time can be spent reading, resting, a project, exhaling, smelling flowers or enjoying an engaging conversation with a stranger. It also allows time to breathe easier because you met your end of the commitment.

Fair warning though, if you're due at my house at 3pm and you knock on my door at 2:30pm expecting open arms because you deem that to be on time...keep in mind it will not be well received. Stay in the car or call me on the phone...my "on time" may be just a little later that 2:30pm but it will still be "on time". LOL

I'm still a work in progress!